Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'chile'

English Word: chile

Key Russian Translations:

• Чили [ˈtʃɪli] - [Formal, for the country]
• чили [ˈtʃɪlʲi] - [Informal, for the pepper; Plural form: чили (unchanged in plural)]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in discussions about geography or cuisine, but not everyday vocabulary)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; straightforward for learners familiar with proper nouns and loanwords, but requires attention to context)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Чили: [ˈtʃɪli]

чили: [ˈtʃɪlʲi]

Note on Чили: The stress is on the first syllable; the 'ч' sound is similar to the English 'ch' in 'church'. For 'чили', the palatalized 'лʲ' may be challenging for beginners.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The country Chile (a South American nation)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Чили - Used in formal contexts like news, geography, or official discussions; refers specifically to the country and is a proper noun.

Usage Examples:

• Я посетил Чили в прошлом году.

  I visited Chile last year.

• Столица Чили — Сантьяго.

  The capital of Chile is Santiago.

• Чили славится своими Андами и Тихим океаном.

  Chile is famous for its Andes mountains and the Pacific Ocean.

• В Чили живут более 19 миллионов человек.

  More than 19 million people live in Chile.

Meaning 2: The chili pepper (a spicy fruit used in cooking)

Translation(s) & Context:

• чили - Used in informal or culinary contexts; often as a loanword from English/Spanish, referring to hot peppers in recipes or food discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Этот соус сделан из свежих чили.

  This sauce is made from fresh chilis.

• Добавьте чили для остроты блюда.

  Add chili for some spice to the dish.

• В мексиканской кухне чили — ключевой ингредиент.

  In Mexican cuisine, chili is a key ingredient.

• Я не ем чили, потому что они слишком острые.

  I don't eat chili because it's too spicy.

• Свежие чили можно купить на рынке.

  Fresh chilis can be bought at the market.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'Чили' (for the country) and 'чили' (for the pepper) are loanwords and typically do not undergo regular Russian inflections. However, they can be treated as follows:

• For 'Чили' (proper noun): It remains unchanged in most cases, as it is a geographical name. In genitive contexts, it might be used as 'Чили' without alteration (e.g., "в Чили" - in Chile).
• For 'чили' (noun, neuter): It is indeclinable in modern Russian usage, meaning it does not change for case, number, or gender. For example:

  Case	Singular	Plural
  Nominative	чили	чили (unchanged)
  Genitive	чили	чили
  Dative	чили	чили
  Accusative	чили	чили
  Instrumental	чили	чили
  Prepositional	о чили	о чили

Note: As indeclinable words, they simplify usage but require context to distinguish meanings.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Для 'Чили' (country): None direct, but sometimes 'Республика Чили' for formal emphasis.
  • Для 'чили' (pepper): 'перец чили' (more descriptive, implying spicy pepper) - often used interchangeably in recipes.
• Antonyms:
  • Для 'чили' (pepper): 'сладкий перец' (sweet pepper) - refers to non-spicy varieties, contrasting the heat.

Related Phrases:

• Чили в Огне (Chile on Fire) - A phrase used metaphorically for something very spicy or intense; English explanation: Refers to the heat of chili peppers in cuisine.
• Перец чили в салате (Chili pepper in salad) - Common in recipes; English explanation: Describes adding spice to a dish for flavor enhancement.
• Путешествие в Чили (Trip to Chile) - Used in travel contexts; English explanation: Indicates visiting the country, often highlighting its landscapes.

Usage Notes:

The English word 'chile' corresponds directly to Russian 'Чили' for the country and 'чили' for the pepper, but context is crucial to avoid confusion. 'Чили' as a proper noun is always capitalized and used formally, while 'чили' is informal and common in culinary settings. Learners should note that Russian often borrows words like these without inflection, making them easier to use, but always pair them with appropriate articles or prepositions (e.g., 'в Чили' for location). When multiple translations exist, choose based on context: opt for 'Чили' in geographical discussions and 'чили' in food-related ones.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing 'Чили' (country) with 'чили' (pepper) and using them interchangeably. Incorrect: "Я ем Чили" (implying eating the country). Correct: "Я ем чили" for the pepper. Explanation: Always check context; 'Чили' is a proper noun and should not be used for food.

• Error: Forgetting that 'чили' is indeclinable, leading to incorrect case changes. Incorrect: "Из чилей" (trying to pluralize incorrectly). Correct: "Из чили" (remains the same). Explanation: Russian loanwords like this don't follow standard declension, so avoid altering the form.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'чили' as a pepper reflects influences from Latin American cuisine, often associated with dishes like Mexican tacos or Indian curries that have been adapted in Russia. 'Чили' the country might evoke images of adventure or wine production, as Chilean wines are popular imports, symbolizing global connectivity in modern Russian society.

Related Concepts:

• Аргентина (Argentina) - A neighboring country to Chile.
• Острый перец (Hot pepper) - Related to the spice of chili.
• Латинская Америка (Latin America) - Broader regional concept including Chile.